July 22, (THEWILL) – The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, on Saturday, flagged off a military operation against the killings in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau state.
A statement issued on Saturday, by Director of Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, said the Army Chief, while addressing the troops during the flag off, charged them to stamp out every form of security threat in the locality and on the Plateau in general.
Lagbaja urged them to sustain swift and timely response to distress calls and maintained a constant feedback to the community as means of building the people’s confidence.
He assured the troops that topmost in his philosophy of command is the “provision of Sound Administration, which places premium on the welfare and wellbeing of personnel.”
The COAS also held a town hall meeting with critical stakeholders in Mangu, where he averred that all stakeholders must show commitment to what he described as the “Mangu Peace project”, adding, that they and their families are the end beneficiaries when the locality and the state are peaceful.
Gen Lagbaja admonished all stakeholders to rein in their children and wards, who foment chaos and bear illicit fire arms, as troops are mandated to neutralise anyone bearing such weapons.
He commiserated with every household who lost families and property in the crisis, stressing that no amount of money is worth the life of any individual.
The COAS directed the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, who also doubles as the Commander Operation Safe Haven to work speedily with the stakeholders in ensuring that lasting peace is restored, to facilitate the return of Internally Displaced Persons to their respective communities.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman Mangu Local Government Council, Markus Artu, expressed gratitude to the COAS and the troops for their swift intervention in tackling the upheaval.
He expressed hope that with all hands on deck, enduring peace and stability will be attained in Mangu and the Plateau as a whole.
At the Town Hall meeting were the Chief of Operations (Army) Maj Gen Robert Sinjen, the Acting Provost Marshal (Army) Brig Gen A Garba, the Acting Chief of Military Intelligence (Army) Brig Gen Bobby Ughiagbe, traditional and religious leaders, Miskagham Mwaghavul Mangu, His Royal Highness Da John Hirse, Special Adviser on Security to Plateau state Governor, Brig Gen Gakji Shipi rtd, representatives of various bodies, including the physically challenged, Mangu Development Association and Miyetti Allah Mangu branch.
